We spent ten days on the big island of Hawaii. We recommend that you stay on BOTH sides of the island if you can. Most of the big resorts are on the "Kona side" of the island, but there is a lot of beauty and charm on the "Hilo side". 

The drive from "side to side" is around 3 hours, so we think it is best to stay on both sides to enjoy the total island experience.

The Orchid at Mauna Lani was absolutely beautiful. We HIGHLY recommend this resort. The rooms were spacious, the location great, and the service was excellent.

This is a "ocean view" room. The view was nice but we didn't feel it was worth the extra money.

(Unless you spend all of your time on the lanai.)

Sunset at the Pool Bar.

The pool was nice. No fancy water slides but very beautiful.

This is the "beach". It is a small man made cove that is a great place to swim and snorkel.

If you snorkel at The Orchid at Mauna Lani you WILL SEE TURTLES. We spotted them on both occasions. A few of them were VERY LARGE. 

The water is "filmy looking" because there is a lot of fresh water springs that empty into the bay. But the turtles are AWESOME! HONU!'

Learning to place the Ukulele in one of the beautifully appointed rooms.The Orchid at Mauna Lani is a great resort.

Uncle Billy's Hilo

Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel is, well, clean I guess, well, sort of clean, actually it isn't really very nice, but you can't beat the rate. ($63 a night) Even though most people may consider this place "a dive", it does have a certain Hawaiian charm. 

(Especially after you have a few Hilo Mehana Brews in the bar.)

This is a view of the center courtyard. If you get a room facing the center, you'll get to hear the squawking birds in the morning.

Carroll is smiling because she is about to have dinner and see a "free Hula show". Actually the dinner here was pretty good. Very reasonable and the Ono was excellent.

This was our "ocean view". Where else can you get such a spectacular view for only $63 a night? (What the picture doesn't show is the roof of the hotel next door which wasn't all that appealing.)

Another view of Hilo Bay.

This was our luxuriously appointed room. (We never did find the terry bath robes)

Hilo is on "the wet side" of the island of Hawaii. With the abundance of rain there is greenery everywhere.

Suisan Fish Market

If you get a chance, visit The Suisan Fish Market early in the morning. This is where the local fisherman sell their catch of the day to local businesses.

Rainbow Falls

Just outside of the town of Hilo is Rainbow Falls. Just ask anyone and they can point you to it. The falls are located on the river that flows through town.

Wild orchids grow along the roadside. It is an amazing site.

Akaka Falls

Also on the "Hilo side" of the island is a park called Akaka Falls. This is a must see.

This the actual "Akaka Falls". These falls are the highlight but the entire park is beautiful. The park has a circular trail which takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Remember to wear a light jacket to the Hilo side. It can be warm and sunny on the Kona side and raining like cats and dogs on the Hilo side.

The "Kona side" of the island is very warm and arid. It doesn't have the beautiful rainforest that the Hilo side has, but the beaches are first class and the weather is wonderful.

Punaluu Black Sands Beach is a remote little black sands beach about 1 hour south of Kona. It is one of the only black sands beaches left. (The others have been covered by lava.)

The Mauna Kea Resort - Very nice beach. (When you drive into the front gate, ask for a "beach pass". They hand out 30 at a time.) The snorkeling to the left of the bay is pretty decent.

Puuhonua O Honaunau Historical Park

This is a wonderful day trip if you have the time. If you made it to the "Place of Refuge" you were spared your life.

This was a "Typical House" (pictured with a prospective homeowner) The temple at one time had the bones of 23 chiefs

An interesting spider web. 

(this guy must watch the X-Files)

A boat landing nearby offers superb snorkeling. You'll find turtles, eels and lots of fish in this bay. 

(Place of Refuge temple is in the background.)

Ahalanui Park is another interesting place on the Kona side. This place is cool! (Or shall I say WARM) This swimming hole is naturally heated by hot springs! This place is hard to find but worth it!

We really enjoyed our trip on the Fairwinds on the Kona side. Here Carroll is on the "Dolphin Watch".

Kealakekua Bay has very clear water. It is a very nice place to snorkel.

The water slide adds some extra fun.

Although very beautiful, our entire trip was motorized.

The trip back provides great views of the Kona Coast.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park allows you to get up close and personal with some volcanoes. You can drive throughout the park so it has very easy access. Being married to a teacher means you HAVE to stop and read EVERY informational sign.

This volcano has more gas than David!

Kilauea Caldera

If you drive to the end of "Chain of Craters Road" you finally come to a dead end. From there we could see the active volcano's smoke billowing in the distance.